Suspect in attempted sexual assaults smelled like ‘wet dog,’ police say

Police in Victorville are searching for a man suspected of trying to sexually assault and kidnap two women this week.

The man is between 30 and 40 years old with a full beard and short brown hair, and he may drive a four-door white car, according to the Victorville Police Department. He smelled like “cigarettes and wet dog,” the police said.

On Tuesday, the man approached an 18-year-old woman about 5 p.m. near the student activities center at Victor Valley College in the 18400 block of Bear Valley Road, police said.

When the woman tried to walk away, the man took hold of her arm, then reached in her pants and ripped her underwear. She escaped and called police.

Nearly eight hours later, the same man is believed to have approached a 22-year-old woman early Wednesday outside an Ashley Furniture Store in the 12700 block of Amargosa Road, police said.

He asked to use her phone. When she said she didn’t have one, police said, the man pushed her to the ground and began to drag her by the leg.

He let go after she kicked him.

The man is described as Latino, between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-11, and weighing about 170 to 180 pounds. He has a “strong raspy voice,” and was wearing a black jacket, a black T-shirt, and black jeans or sweatpants, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Rodney Gardner at the Victorville Police Station at (760) 241-2911. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call the We-Tip Hotline at (800) 782-7463.

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